Search - G. Mahler :: Symphony 1

Bertini's Mahler 1 beats R. Kubelik, Haitink, Walter, etc.

LEE Cheng Hooi | Kuala Lumpur, WP Malaysia | 10/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I found this CD in Malaysia at a video store of all places. They had a facility to listen to the disc before purchase. Having owned the R Kubelik (DG), Haitink, BPO (Philips) and the Walter
(Sony), I did not feel like buying another Mahler 1. But listening to the disc, I was most engrossed with Bertini's vision. The 1st movement is idyllic and depicts nature as Mahler
intended. The 2nd. movement is lively - not so slow & sluggish as
Kubelik or Haitink & not so heavy sounding (a lighter footed Landler). The 3rd movement is played in an unmannered way - not
overdoing the schmaltz and expression. The last movement is fantastic - with all sections of the orchestra giving their all.
The D flat section is played beautifully by the violins. At the end, the descending fourths ring out truly (a minor fluff by the
horns on a F# as it is a live performance). The audience is quite quiet otherwise. The sound is generally top-drawer EMI -
beating the analogue DG (Kubelik with the excessive vibrato winds) and Philips (Haitink). I would put this Mahler 1 at the top of the finest of this piece (I also own Judd/Florida PO and
the BBCSO Honeck versons)."